Students who enter higher education
institutions in Maryland should have every opportunity to
continue their learning throughout their lives. Some students
will begin their college careers at a community college
and transfer to a four-year college or university. Others
will transfer between four-year institutions or from one
community college to another. The purpose of this guide
is to provide students with information to make the process
of transferring from one college or university to another--not
only from a community college to a four-year college, but
from any college to any other in Maryland--an easier one.
By following the advice in this guide, you can minimize
(and hopefully avoid altogether) any loss of credit during
transfer.

If, after reading this guide,
you still have questions, you will find the phone numbers
of knowledgeable transfer counselors in the section called
Contacting Your Transfer Coordinator. Please call
them. They are there to help you.

PRINCIPLES
OF STUDENT TRANSFER IN MARYLAND

In Maryland, a student may be able to progress from one
segment of the public higher education system to another
without loss of time or duplication of courses. To help
accomplish this, Marylands public colleges and universities
follow certain statewide policies. Several of the key policies
are:

Maryland community college students
who have completed the associate degree or students
who have completed 56 semester hours of credit with
a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher
on a scale of 4.0 shall not be denied direct transfer
to a Maryland public four-year institution.

Courses taken at a Maryland community
college as part of a recommended transfer program will
ordinarily be applicable to related programs at a Maryland
public institution granting the baccalaureate degree.

The General Education Program a
student takes at one public college or university will
transfer without further review to another public institution
without the need for a course-to-course match. That
is, courses that are designated as general education
by a sending institution will transfer as general education
even if the receiving institution does not offer that
specific course or has not designated that course as
general education.

Courses designated as meeting the
general education requirements at any Maryland public
college shall be applicable to the general education
requirements at any other Maryland public college or
university.

Credit earned in or transferred
from an associate degree-granting institution shall
be limited to approximately one-half the baccalaureate
degree program requirement, not to exceed 70 credits,
and to the first two years of the undergraduate educational
experience.

STEPS
TO A SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER

Seek advice on transfer from your
academic advisor or campus transfer coordinator during
your first semester or as soon as possible after earning
15 credits. (See "What A Transfer Coordinator
Can Do For You!" )

Choose as early as possible the institution
to which you wish to transfer and your intended major
program.

Make use of ARTSYS, a computerized
method of determining the transferability of your courses
to your intended transfer institution. Check out the transferability
of your courses before registration, not after. (See "ARTSYS,
An Electronic Tool for Transfer Students" )

Map out your course work in accord
with the recommended transfer program you and your advisor
find in ARTSYS or in other resources.

Become familiar with Marylands
regulations on General Education and Transfer. These are
printed in all college catalogs and/or student handbooks.

Determine transfer application and
admissions procedures and deadlines of your intended transfer
institution. Each institution sets its own deadlines for
application, admissions, housing, financial aid and scholarships.
So, the sooner you apply, the greater your options will
be.

Be aware that courses and program
requirements may change as colleges attempt to keep their
programs current. Therefore, be sure to consult frequently
with your advisor and transfer coordinator due to potential
changes in courses and program requirements.

ELEMENTS
OF A COLLEGE DEGREE

A college degree -- whether a two-year associate degree
or a four-year bachelor's degree -- has three basic components:
general education, major program requirements and electives.
The distribution of courses among these three components
varies from college to college, from major to major and
from institution to institution.

The Maryland general education
program, as implemented by public colleges and universities,
is designed to introduce undergraduates to the fundamental
knowledge, skills and values that are essential to the
study of academic disciplines, to encourage the pursuit
of life-long learning and to foster the development of
educated members of the community and the world.

For students in public colleges
and universities, the general education requirements are
as presented in the following table. Independent colleges
and universities each set their own general education
requirements, and these can best be determined by consulting
both the independent institutions catalog and academic
advisers.

NOTE: Students should
be aware that they are responsible for the loss of credits
due to changes in the individuals selection of the
major program of study, the need for remedial course work
or exceeding the limit of credits accepted in transfer
as allowed by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Students shall be held responsible for meeting all requirements
of the academic program at the degree-granting institution.
Please see an academic advisor for the course lists for
each category and for specific general education information
at your institution. The completetext of the regulations
concerning general education appears in the catalog of
each public college and university.

Marylands
General Education Program

Distribution
Areas

Associate of Applied Science degree

(in credits)

Associate of Arts / Science degree

(in credits)

Bachelor of Arts / Science degree

(in
credits)

English Composition

3 minimum

3 minimum

3 minimum

Mathematics - at or above the level
of college algebra

3 minimum

3 minimum

3 minimum

Arts & Humanities - one course from
each of two disciplines, may include speech, foreign
language or composition & literature courses

3 minimum

6 minimum

6 minimum

Social & Behavioral Sciences - one
course from each of two disciplines

3 minimum

6 minimum

6 minimum

Biological & Physical Sciences -
two courses, including one laboratory

3 minimum

6 minimum

6 minimum

Interdisciplinary & Emerging Issues
- not required, will be transferred as part of General
Education Program

Optional

(8 maximum)

Optional

(8 maximum)

Optional

(8 maximum)

Additional credits - may be assigned
by each institution from English, Mathematics, Arts
& Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences
and Biological & Physical Sciences to complete
the number of credits required for the General Education
Program.

5-21 credits

0-12 credits

8-22 credits

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GENERAL
EDUCATION PROGRAM

20-36 credits

30-36 credits

40-46 credits

REMAINING GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR BACHELORS DEGREE AFTER COMPLETION OF ASSOCIATES
DEGREE

10-26 credits

maximum

10-16 credits

maximum

Not Applicable

EXCEPTION: Since St. Mary's College of Maryland
offers a curriculum based on four-credit courses, the
total credits required for general education at St. Mary's
College will be 48 credits. Remaining general education
requirements for the Bachelor's Degree after completion
of the Associate of Applied Science Degree will be 10-28
credits maximum and after completion of the Associate
of Arts/Science Degree will be 10-18 credits maximum.

TRANSFER
PROGRAMS AND CAREER PROGRAMS

Maryland community colleges
grant three associate-level degrees: the Associate of Arts
(AA), the Associate of Science (AS) and the Associate of
Applied Science (AAS).

Transfer or Pre-baccalaureate
degree programs (AA, AS) are aimed at meeting the
needs of students who intend to earn a bachelor's degree
from a four-year college or university. These programs
are specifically designed so that all course work will
transfer to a four-year institution. In fact, optional
course offerings are available to students taking transfer
programs which can be tailored to the specific major fields
students plan to pursue in their junior and senior years
(and can also be tailored to the requirements of specific
four-year colleges and universities). Students should
consult ARTSYS as well as academic advisors or transfer
counselors at both the sending and receiving institutions
for current transfer information.

Career degree programs
(AAS) are designed for students intending to seek
employment upon graduation from a community college. Many
programs designated as AAS degrees are in fields which
also offer a baccalaureate degree. Some of these courses
may transfer; students should consult ARTSYS as well as
academic advisors at both the sending and receiving institutions
for information. Other career programs include specific
occupational courses not normally offered by four-year
institutions. These courses generally are not accepted
as transfer credit by four-year institutions. However,
all general education courses designated as such on the
transcript will be accepted by receiving public four-year
colleges and universities.

ARTSYS

An Electronic Tool for Transfer Students

ARTSYS
is a computerized data information system which informs
students and advisors at a community college about the transferability
of each community college course. It indicates whether the
course is transferable and, if so, indicates the four-year
institution's equivalent course number. It also indicates
the general education area(s), at both the sending and receiving
institution, applicable to the course.

It is a system, developed and
maintained by the University of System of Maryland (USM),
which is available both as a PC-based version on campuses
and on the World Wide Web at http://artweb.usmd.edu.The
system is presently in use at all Maryland public institutions
and many independent colleges and universities.

In addition to providing information
on course transferability, the program provides, in community
college course numbers, the recommended courses for transfer
to specific programs of study at the participating four-year
institutions.

The ARTSYS program permits the
student to enter his or her transcript into ARTSYS to determine
the transferability of courses he or she plans to take.
ARTSYS also allows the analysis of the courses taken against
a recommended transfer program. This may be done for a single
program at a single institution or for multiple programs
at several institutions. The ARTSYS program computes a transfer
grade point average, a grade point average for a particular
program, as well as an overall grade point average.

For additional information,
contact the transfer coordinator on your campus.

STUDENT
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A student is held accountable
for the loss of credits that result from changes in the
students major program of study, were earned for remedial
course work or exceed the total course credits allowable
in transfer from a community college to a baccalaureate
institution (e.g., one-half of the credits required
for graduation at the receiving institution--generally 60
credits for the bachelors degree and in no case more
than 70 credits).

A student has the right to question
any denial of transfer credit by a public college or university.
The steps to appeal a denial of credit will be printed in
the college's catalog and/or student handbook.

There are time limits set on
each step of the appeals process to protect the student
by ensuring that an appeal is dealt with quickly. The steps
in the process are summarized below. To receive a full description
of the appeal process, see your college catalog, student
handbook or the transfer coordinator on your campus.

Steps
in the Process

Time
limit

1. The receiving institution notifies the student
of denial of transfer credit.

Under normal conditions, notification must be made
no later than mid-semester of the first semester of
enrollment

2. Appeal to the receiving institution
by the student.

20 working days (4 weeks)

3. Response by the receiving institution.

10 working days (2 weeks)

4. If transfer credit is still denied,
the student may ask his/her sending institution to
intervene on the student's behalf.

10 working days (2 weeks)

5. The sending institution and the receiving
institution consult. The sending institution informs
the student of the result.

15 working days (3 weeks)

WHAT
A TRANSFER COORDINATOR CAN DO FOR YOU

Each Maryland public institution
of higher education has a designated Transfer Coordinator.
The Transfer Coordinator interprets transfer policies for
students, faculty and administrators.

The Transfer Coordinator:

clarifies
information for transfer students at either the sending
or the receiving campus regarding course or program transfer.

works with transfer counselors and academic advisors to
assist students in selecting courses which are transferable.

assists a transfer student who wishes to appeal a decision
regarding the evaluation of transfer credit. Policies
and procedures for appeals for students enrolled in public
colleges and universities are stated in the Maryland Higher
Education Commissions regulations concerning general
education and transfer.

You may contact the Transfer
Coordinator at your college or on the campus to which you
wish to transfer by calling the appropriate telephone number
listed below.

Q: How do I get a transcript
sent from one college or university to another?

A: Make a written request
to the Records/Registrar's office on your campus. There
may be a fee required. All USM institutions, most community
colleges and many other Maryland institutions have the ability
to send and receive electronic transcripts from one another.

Q: How can I know if the courses
I am considering will transfer to the four-year campus I
want to attend?

A: ARTSYS indicates
the transferability of courses from each community college
to each participating four-year college. If ARTSYS
is available at your institution, consult your transfer
coordinator about its use. If ARTSYS is not available
at your institution, consult your academic advisor, transfer
counselor or the transfer counselor at the four-year institution
regarding the transferability of courses, or access ARTSYS
on the Web at http://artweb.usmd.edu.

Q: What courses should I take
to major in my chosen field?

A: Before registering for
courses, you should consult your academic advisor or transfer
counselor and/or ARTSYS to determine the transferability
of courses you wish to take. The advisor may be able to
provide a recommended transfer program for your major.

Q: How do I access ARTSYS?

A: Generally, ARTSYS
is available both on PCs at your institution as well as
on the World Wide Web.

Q: May I earn the associate
degree at a community college while taking courses needed
for transfer for a recommended transfer program at a specific
four-year college?

A: In general, it is preferable
to have a completed degree program on your academic record
and on your resumé.

Q: How many credits will transfer?

A: Transfer credits from
a community college normally are limited to half the baccalaureate
degree program requirement, not to exceed 70 credits.

Q: How many requirements for
graduation at my chosen four-year college will I have met
when I receive my associate's degree?

A: In order to answer this
question, you must consult an academic advisor or transfer
coordinator at the four-year college?

Q: How long will it take to
complete a degree after I transfer?

A: This will depend on your
personal circumstances. For example, will you be a part-time
or full-time student? If you change majors, it could well
take longer than if you do not change.

Q: What class standing will
I have?

A: This will be based on
the credits accepted in transfer. Consult the receiving
college's catalog for specific definitions of class standing.

Q: Will the college to which
I am transferring do an evaluation of my transfer credit
before I enroll at that college?

A: Many institutions provide
an unofficial evaluation of transfer credits prior to enrollment.
Your advisor, using ARTSYS, should be able to provide
a clear indication of the transfer credits you will receive.

Q: Will I get an advisor at
the college to which I am transferring?

A: Yes. An advisor will be
assigned to you after you have enrolled.

Q: Will grades of "D"
be accepted in transfer?

A: "D" grades will
be accepted in transfer if the college to which you are
applying also accepts a "D" for native students.
A "D" grade earned in a general education course
that meets a general education requirement at a sending
institution, which has designated that course as meeting
a general education requirement, will transfer and meet
a general education requirement at the receiving institution.

Q: Which institutions have the
major I want?

A: Consult ARTSYS
and your academic advisor or transfer counselor, or access
individual campus home pages or the Maryland Higher Education
Commission web site at http://www.mhec.state.md.us.
Under the "Colleges and Universities" section,
the "list of higher education institutions" links
to each available campus home page (see the "Contacting
Your Transfer Counselor" section for campus web site
addresses). The "academic programs" link lists
campuses and approved programs offered by institution; programs
can also be found under "Publications".

GLOSSARY

Credit hour - One semester
hour of credit is awarded for a minimum of 15 hours (50
minutes each) of actual class time; for 30 hours of laboratory
time; or for 45 hours of instructional situations such as
a practicum, internships and cooperative education placements.
(For example, a 3-credit lecture course meets for 45 hours
- usually three times per week for 15 weeks.)

Native student - A student
whose initial college enrollment was at a given institution
of higher education and who has not transferred to another
institution since that initial enrollment.

Receiving institution
- The institution of higher education at which a transfer
student currently desires to enroll or has enrolled.

Recommended transfer program
- A planned program of courses, including both general education
and courses in the major, taken at a community college which
is applicable to a baccalaureate program at a receiving
institution; ordinarily the first two years of a baccalaureate
degree.

Sending institution -
The institution of higher education of most recent previous
enrollment by a transfer student at which transferable academic
credit was earned.

Transfer student - A
student entering an institution for the first time with
academic credit earned at another institution which is applicable
for credit at the institution the student is entering.